Grandparent Caregivers Invited to Free Forum

Grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandchildren are invited to learn all about the services available to them throughout the community at a free forum on Thursday, November 10th, from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. at Project Self-Sufficiency.  Participants will hear about the services available through social service agencies, health organizations and the local school system which will help to lighten the burden of caring for their grandchildren.  Childcare will be offered and a light dinner will be provided.  The event is sponsored by the Sussex County Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency. 

According to the most recent census figures, 5.8 million grandparents currently reside with their grandchildren, and more than 2.4 million senior citizens are currently the primary caretakers of their grandchildren.  Grandparents who are responsible for their grandchildren tend to be female, under the age of 60, and are more likely to be Hispanic or African-American.  Geographic disparities exist as well; the Southern states have the highest percentage of co-resident grandparents (48%) while the Northeast has the lowest percentage (34%).  However, the Northeast and Southern states were equal in the longevity of the grandparents’ commitment to raising their grandchildren.  Many had been actively raising their grandchildren for more than 5 years.

“Grandparents who are caring for their grandchildren face special burdens, and the Family Success Center at Project Self-Sufficiency is uniquely positioned to help alleviate some of the uncertainty that comes with their situation,” noted Deborah Berry-Toon, Executive Director of Project Self-Sufficiency.  “We are hopeful that participants in the Grandparent Caregiver Forum will walk away with the knowledge that help and support are available, and more importantly, that their sacrifices are appreciated.”

Grandparents who are raising their grandchildren often live below the federal poverty level; in some southern states, the proportion of grandparent caregivers living in poverty has reached 30%.  According to the AARP, grandmothers as a social group are disproportionately affected and bear the brunt of care-giving in these families.  They often sacrifice jobs, education and health care in order to care for their grandchildren.  These grandparent caregivers face a host of social, economic and legal issues, particularly surrounding custody, medical consent and limited pro bono and legal aid.

Project Self-Sufficiency is a private non-profit community-based organization dedicated to improving the lives of low-income families residing in northwestern New Jersey.  The agency’s mission is to provide a broad spectrum of holistic, respectful, and comprehensive services enabling low-income single parents, teen parents, two-parent families, and displaced homemakers to achieve personal and economic self-sufficiency, family stability, and to improve their lives and the lives of their children.  Since 1986 Project Self-Sufficiency has served more than 19,000 families, including over 30,000 children. 

The Grandparent Caregiver forum, which will be held at Project Self-Sufficiency’s campus at 127 Mill Street in Newton, is free and open to the public, but registration is required.  To register, call Project Self-Sufficiency at 973-940-3500.